Once they finally decide to implement a development programme a strange thing occurs.

The strangeness comes not from the Firm itself but from individuals and the sheer number of lawyers who finally open up and admit that they never really wanted to be lawyers in the first place.There’s a crucial point in the timing of these “confessions.” It’s usually after the initial consultation has completed and the first step of the programme begins when it finally sinks in with some that the business of law needs to be delivered in a new way and that “change is on the horizon”.Now no one except a wet baby likes change. And the thought of “change” and all that it may bring seems to initiate an internal conversation.The internal conversation may go something like this: “oh no, we’re going to have to change the way we do things around here. I can see that now and it looks as if I may have to work harder/smarter/more efficiently.

I’m already billing as many hours as I can I can’t see how to squeeze more time out of this, already squeezed, life of mine. Heck, I never really wanted to be a lawyer in the first place. My dad/Mum/brother [add to the list and take your pick] made me do it.

I always wanted to work outdoors/be a lifeguard/start my own business [again, add to the list and take your pick]. Well, if I’m going to have to change I may as well bite the bullet and start my own business/learn carpentry/ hairdressing/to be a chef [etc] now.

This Firm are planning to merge/take over/be taken over and there will be upheaval anyway. I may as well go through all that for my own benefit. That’s it, I’ve had enough, I’m leaving. It’s now or never.”

Of course there will be variations on that theme, but you probably get the gist. I’ve thought about what to do to help these people in their transformation and short of encouragement to do what they love (as you’ll never work a day in your life if you do) I always wanted to be able to make a more concrete suggestion or point to some great insight that can help. Recently when reading a new book (Just out 27 April 2013) calledThe Inside Out Revolution by Michael Neil, I came across the following;“Imagine a man comes to you for coaching. He’s about to turn 30 and he’s decided that it’s time to “grow up” and take over the family carpentry business. He wants you to share innovative marketing techniques, work with him on how to make better personnel decisions and coach him to incorporate technology to bring the business into at least the new millennium.”"But even as you’re speaking together, something’s bothering you about the conversation. He’s saying all the right things and seems willing to do all the right things and yet something still feels out of alignment.

Following your intuition, you go back and review the client intake form he filled out when he first came to you and to your surprise you see that his name is Jesus and he’s from a small town in the Galilean region of Israel called Nazareth." Here’s the question: Do you really want to work with him on becoming more successful in his carpentry business? What if every man, woman and child you meet has the seeds within them to become who they truly are? What if that includes you?

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After many years paying lawyers,I became one in 2005 Just in time for the largest upheaval in the law since records began. Brilliant. Exiting times ahead.

Disclaimer. The thoughts, ideas and comments on this Blawg ("Blawg - a legal Blog) are my own and not to be confused (unless otherwise stated) with anyone else and certainly not of anyone in the Firm where I used to work and they are not the views of the firm where I used to work.